DEXA Scan Results — Explained
Everything you need to understand your body composition results — body fat, lean mass, visceral fat, bone density, and how to track your progress over time.
Understanding DEXA Scans
What is a DEXA scan?
A DEXA scan (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is the gold standard for measuring body composition. Unlike a bathroom scale, a DEXA scan tells you exactly how much of your body weight is fat, lean muscle mass, and bone. It uses two low-dose X-ray beams to differentiate between tissue types with high precision. A full-body DEXA scan typically takes 10–20 minutes and exposes you to less radiation than a cross-country flight.
What does a DEXA scan measure?
A DEXA scan measures four key metrics: (1) Total Body Fat Percentage — the proportion of your weight that is fat tissue. (2) Lean Mass — everything that isn't fat, including muscle, organs, bone, and water. (3) Visceral Fat — the metabolically active fat stored around your internal organs, which is more dangerous than subcutaneous fat. (4) Bone Mineral Density (BMD) — measured as a T-score, indicating your bone strength relative to a healthy young adult. Some scans also report regional breakdowns by limb and trunk.
How accurate is a DEXA scan for body fat?
DEXA is considered the most accurate non-invasive method for measuring body composition, with a margin of error of approximately 1–2% for body fat percentage. It is significantly more accurate than bioelectrical impedance (BIA) scales, skinfold calipers, or hydrostatic weighing. For best results, get scanned under consistent conditions — same time of day, similar hydration, and fasted if possible.
DEXA scan vs InBody — what's the difference?
InBody uses bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which estimates body composition by sending a small electrical current through your body. DEXA uses X-ray technology and is significantly more accurate, especially for measuring visceral fat and bone density — metrics that BIA cannot reliably measure. DEXA results are also more consistent scan-to-scan, making it the better choice for tracking progress over time. InBody is faster and cheaper, but DEXA is the clinical gold standard.
Reading Your Results
What is a good body fat percentage on a DEXA scan?
Body fat reference ranges differ by sex. For men: Athletic is under 15%, Healthy is 15–24%, Overweight is 25–34%, and Obese is above 35%. For women: Athletic is under 22%, Healthy is 22–31%, Overweight is 32–40%, and Obese is above 40%. These ranges are guidelines — context matters. An athlete may have higher body fat during an off-season, while an older adult may have different optimal ranges. DexaVault's AI summary applies your correct sex-based ranges automatically.
What is visceral fat and why does it matter?
Visceral fat is the fat stored around your internal organs — liver, pancreas, and intestines — in the abdominal cavity. Unlike subcutaneous fat (the fat you can pinch), visceral fat is metabolically active and releases inflammatory compounds that increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance. On a DEXA scan, visceral fat is typically reported in grams or pounds. A healthy level is under 2 lbs (approximately 1,000g). Borderline is 2–3 lbs, and high is over 3 lbs. Even modest reductions in visceral fat through diet and exercise significantly improve metabolic health.
What does lean mass mean on a DEXA scan?
Lean mass (also called lean body mass or fat-free mass) is everything in your body that isn't fat — primarily skeletal muscle, but also bone, organs, connective tissue, and water. Higher lean mass is strongly associated with metabolic health, longevity, and physical performance. For reference, the average adult male has approximately 130–150 lbs of lean mass, and the average adult female has approximately 90–110 lbs. Lean mass naturally decreases with age, making resistance training and adequate protein intake critical for preservation.
What is a bone density T-score?
A T-score compares your bone mineral density to that of a healthy 30-year-old adult of the same sex. A T-score of -1.0 or above is Normal. A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 indicates Osteopenia (early bone loss), which is reversible with lifestyle changes including resistance training, calcium, and vitamin D supplementation. A T-score below -2.5 indicates Osteoporosis, which carries significant fracture risk and warrants medical evaluation. Note: DEXA reports may show T-scores for total body, spine (lumbar), and hip — the total body T-score gives the broadest picture.
How do I get my DEXA PDF from my clinic?
You are legally entitled to your medical records, including your DEXA scan report. Most clinics will email or print your PDF on request — simply ask the front desk or your provider for a copy. If they charge a fee, it is typically minimal. If you're having difficulty obtaining your report, reference your right to access medical records under HIPAA (in the US) or applicable privacy laws in your country. Once you have the PDF, you can upload it to DexaVault to get your AI-powered dashboard instantly.
Tracking Progress
How often should I get a DEXA scan?
For general health tracking, every 6 months is the standard recommendation — enough time for meaningful changes in body composition to occur while keeping you accountable. If you are actively pursuing a body recomposition goal (such as a GLP-1 protocol, bodybuilding prep, or athletic training cycle), quarterly scans (every 3 months) provide more frequent feedback. DexaVault automatically sends you a 6-month reminder when it's time for your next scan.
Can I use DexaVault to track GLP-1 progress (Ozempic, Wegovy, Tirzepatide)?
Yes — and this is one of the most valuable use cases for DexaVault. Rapid weight loss on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Tirzepatide can reduce lean muscle mass alongside fat. Without a DEXA scan, you can't distinguish between fat loss and muscle loss. DexaVault tracks your Lean Mass Index and Visceral Fat scan-to-scan, showing you exactly what's changing — so you can adjust your protein intake, add resistance training, or speak with your doctor if muscle loss is detected.
What is a good rate of progress between DEXA scans?
For body recomposition, realistic and healthy progress over 6 months includes: a reduction of 2–5% in body fat percentage, an increase of 3–8 lbs in lean mass (with consistent resistance training and adequate protein), a reduction in visceral fat of 0.3–1 lb, and stable or improving bone density T-score. DexaVault automatically calculates the delta between your scans and highlights improvements with directional indicators on your dashboard.
Will my scan history be saved if I come back months later?
Yes. Your email address is your permanent identity in DexaVault. Every scan you upload is stored under your account indefinitely. When you return 6 months later and upload a new scan, DexaVault automatically displays your full timeline and calculates the changes between scans. Your history is always there, regardless of how much time passes between uploads.
Using DexaVault
What DEXA machine formats does DexaVault support?
DexaVault's AI is trained to read PDF reports from all major DEXA manufacturers including Hologic (Horizon, Discovery), GE Lunar (Prodigy, iDXA), and Norland. Our AI reads the report visually — the same way a human would — so it handles different layouts, unit systems (metric and imperial), and report formats automatically. If your scan is from a less common machine and the AI can't parse it correctly, contact support@dexavault.io.
How does the Magic Link work?
After uploading your scan, DexaVault sends a secure Magic Link to your email address. Clicking the link logs you into your personal dashboard instantly — no password required. The link is single-use and expires after a short window for security. If your link expires, you can request a new one at dexavault.io/access by entering your email. Magic Links mean you never have to remember a password and your results are always a click away.
Is my health data secure?
Yes. DexaVault uses encrypted storage at rest and in transit. Your results are protected by row-level security — meaning no other user can ever access your data. We use passwordless Magic Link authentication, which means there's no password to steal or compromise. We never sell, share, or use your health data for any purpose other than displaying it back to you. Our infrastructure is built on enterprise-grade, HIPAA-ready cloud services.
What happens to my credits if the AI can't read my PDF?
If DexaVault's AI cannot parse your PDF (for example, if the file is corrupted, password-protected, or from an unsupported format), contact support@dexavault.io within 7 days and we will refund your credit or re-process your scan manually at no additional charge.
Do I need a doctor or referral to use DexaVault?
No. DexaVault is a self-service tool — you simply upload the PDF report from your DEXA scan and receive your AI-powered dashboard instantly. No doctor, referral, or login required. DEXA scans themselves are available directly to consumers at many imaging centres, fitness clinics, and sports medicine facilities without a prescription. DexaVault is not a medical device and does not provide medical diagnoses — it presents your own data back to you in a clear, actionable format.
How much does a DEXA scan cost?
A DEXA scan typically costs $75–$200 in the United States, depending on the facility. Many imaging centres, sports performance labs, and longevity clinics offer walk-in DEXA scans without a referral for $100–$150. Some gyms and wellness centres offer discounted rates of $50–$75. Insurance rarely covers body composition scans unless ordered for bone density assessment. Once you have your PDF report, uploading it to DexaVault starts at $4.99 — a small addition to get a personalised AI dashboard from a scan you've already paid for.
Is DexaVault available outside the United States?
Yes. DexaVault works with DEXA scan PDFs from any country. DEXA machines from Hologic and GE Lunar are used worldwide, and our AI handles both metric (kg, cm) and imperial (lbs, inches) report formats automatically. Customers from the UK, Australia, Canada, Europe, and beyond use DexaVault. Payment is processed in USD via Stripe, which accepts international cards. If you have a DEXA PDF from your country and experience any parsing issues, email support@dexavault.io.
My clinic gave me a paper printout, not a PDF — can I still use DexaVault?
DexaVault requires a digital PDF file. If your clinic gave you a paper printout, the easiest solution is to photograph each page with your phone in good lighting and use a free scanning app (like Apple Notes, Google PhotoScan, or Adobe Scan) to convert the photos into a PDF. Alternatively, ask your clinic to email you the original digital report — you are legally entitled to your records under HIPAA (US) or equivalent privacy laws elsewhere, and most clinics will send it on request. A clean scan of the paper report will work with DexaVault's AI in most cases.
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